THE government has assured that the suspects in the rape case at a secondary school in Alor Gajah, Melaka, will be punished in accordance with existing legal provisions under the Penal Code.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Transformation), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, said that the age factor of under 18 years is not a merit for the suspects to escape any action.
She said this is because the act of rape is a criminal act and charges against the suspects can be made in a separate court, depending on the age group of the perpetrators at the time of the incident.
"It is not that the perpetrators under 18 years of age can be free if they commit a crime. This is a misunderstanding that many people have.
"Wrong is still wrong, evil is still evil. The punishment will still be imposed, but the court (for the charge proceedings and trial of the case) may be different," she said.
She was commenting on the statement by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek regarding four students suspected of being involved in the rape of a female student, being allowed to sit for the SPM examination scheduled to begin on November 3.
Fadhlina was quoted as saying that the decision was made to ensure that the education of the students involved were not disrupted though they may have to face legal action following the case.
Recentlyy, four Form 5 students were remanded for six days until Thursday, to assist in the investigation into the case of the rape of a female Form 3 student in a school classroom in Alor Gajah, last week.
The remand order was issued by the Senior Assistant Registrar of the Melaka Magistrate's Court, SR Arthana, on all 17-year-old male suspects who are also SPM candidates to assist in the investigation under Section 375B of the Penal Code for rape. - October 13, 2025
